Legislation -
Referred to Committee
(House)
-
Oct. 21, 1998

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(Senate)
(53-44) -
April 17, 1997(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that would establish criminal penalties for possession of chemical or biological weapons.

Highlights:

Declares that it should be U.S. policy to take all appropriate measures to prevent and deter the threat or use of chemical or biological weapons.

Suggests that it should be U.S. policy to discourage proliferation and prohibit development of chemical or biological weapons within the U.S.

Requires that the death penalty or life sentence be imposed on anyone whose use of such weapons results in the death of another individual.

Authorizes the President to suspend a person's right to export any goods or technology from the U.S. if the individual violates any chemical or biological weapons laws.

Requires the President, after consulting with Congress, to impose at least 5 different sanctions for three years on any foreign government that uses chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law.

Mandates that the President report annually to the Speaker and specified congressional committees regarding proliferation by foreign countries, as well as foreign persons and subnational groups assisting in proliferation.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the armed forces should place more emphasis protecting deployed troops from chemical and biological weapons attacks.

Prohibits the President from issuing orders that diminish the right of law enforcement officials to use riot control agents on a domestic level.